100 years ago

A verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane" was returned at the inquest, held at Muston, near Filey, on the body of William Welburn, 48, an agricultural labourer, who had cut his throat on Sunday morning, informed his sister, with whom he lived, what he had done, and died 12 hours later.

Dr Haworth stated he had attended the deceased for six years for asthmatic bronchitis, and during the last three weeks for influenza.

He had great difficulty in breathing; and informed the doctor he had cut his throat to make it easier and let some wind in.

Had he not cut his throat it was questionable if Welburn would have lived more than a week.

50 years ago

Six hundred and forty women had paid 5 guineas a ticket to attend a charity fashion show at Harewood House at the weekend.

Hardy Amies was there, steeling himself to watch the re-showing of his January collection.

So was Mme Ross Vernier, milliner to the women of the Royal Kent family, with 40 of her most intoxicating hats.

It was certainly one of the best-dressed gatherings Yorkshire had ever seen, with hats to rival Royal Ascot, and furs by the score.

The stately home had been transformed into a salon for the first fashion parade in the history of Harewood House.

While conversation and champagne flowed at the buffet luncheon, eight top models changed in the green drawing room, which contained £20,000 worth of haute couture.

Between portraits of the ladies of Harewood in the haute couture of their day, and bowls massed with daffodils, the models swirled through the 76ft long gallery and into the staterooms, showing clothes that rippled with pleats and flares.

25 years ago

Health unions erupted in fury at the shock news that Clifton Hospital was set to close.

North Yorkshire’s biggest psychiatric hospital could close, it was suggested, as part of the care in the community policy.

York Health Authority was discussing the controversial plan which would see Clifton closed by the mid-1990s. But the union feared for the future of the 800 staff employed at the hospital, and were incensed at the manner of the closure plan announcement.

Bob Kilcran, chairman of the York and District Health branch of the National and Local Government Officers’ Association, said care in the community was a “utopian concept” and he doubted whether the cash was available to support the idea of closing large hospitals and replacing them with smaller, local units.

Naburn, near York, was being run down for closure, possibly early the following year.

Claypenny Hospital, at Easingwold, was also earmarked for closure as part of changes in mental handicap services.